Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of extra places that would be needed in higher education to allow for an open access model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6439/22]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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143. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on discussions with the Minister for Education with regard to the possibilities of an open access model for third level that would remove the need for a traditional leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6438/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 143 together.

My objective as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, to ensure that there is access into either further or higher education for each person who wishes to pursue educational options at third-level. There is a diverse range of pathways in further and higher education that meet both individual and wider educational and skills needs. Access to higher education in Ireland is very open by international standards, with our population of 25-34 year-olds having the highest level of higher education qualifications in Europe.

It has therefore, been a priority for me to highlight and communicate the need for a balanced tertiary education system. To progress this key goal, from this year, school leavers are able to explore options across the third level system, whether in higher education, further education or apprenticeship options, from the CAO website.

It is also important to emphasise that while the Leaving Certificate is used by some students as the basis of a CAO application, it is not an entrance examination for higher education. The primary function of the Leaving Certificate is as the terminal exam of post-primary education, and it can be used to pursue other options such as training, apprenticeships and employment.

While I aim to ensure that learners are given the opportunity to access the courses that interest them, there are real, material limits on the number of students that can be accommodated in some courses. In particular, courses with significant practical or laboratory elements, courses which require work placements and courses which must satisfy specific requirements from professional bodies all face specific challenges when it comes to any increase in intake. Expansion of higher education must also take into account issues around sufficient classroom space and the staff to student ratio, as well as the importance of maintaining a balance within third level between further education, higher education and apprenticeship.